The English Levellers

The Levellers were a crucial component of a radically democratic movement during the civil wars in 17th-century England. This was to be democratic at a time when the very idea of democracy conjured up nothing good, with its suggestion of anarch and the 'levelling' of distinctions in rank and of property, even the holding of women in common. Whilst unlikely ever to realize their contemporary aspirations, the Levellers have been viewed as men and women 'before their time' who anticipated future developments in their writings. Thus these texts form an important part of the liberal and social democratic canon. This collection is comprised of 13 fully annotated texts, including John Lilburne's The young men's and apprentices' outcry, Richard Overton's An arrow against tyrants and the famous Agreements of the people. This anthology of Leveller writings includes an introduction by the editor which sets the Leveller ideas in their context, together with a chronology and short biographies of the leading figures. Essential reading for students of the English civil wars and of the history of political thought.